Stud and rafter



Septy, 1938.. A. RAFTER STUD AND`RAFTER Filed Feb. 2o, 1937 Patented Sept. 6, 1938 STUD AND RAFTER Albert Rafter, Glen Ridge, N. J., assignor to Rafter Machine Company, Belleville, N. J., a partnership of NewJersey, composed of Albert Rafter and John C. Rafter, Jr.

Application February 20, 1937, -Serial No. 126,832

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in beams, studs, rafters and the like for use in building. Metal beams heretofore used in building construction have generally been of the I-beam type, which have been found objectionable due to their weight, lack of resistance to turning forces, and cost due to the amount of metal used therein; and in many instances it has been found necessary to reenforce the flanges of such I-beams.

It is an object of my invention to provide structural members for building construction which have all the advantages of the usual I-beam and none of the disadvantages thereof.

In accordance with my invention, the structural members formed from spaced metal plates provided with a plurality of spaced apertures along the longitudinal center line thereof, thus enabling a considerable saving in metal and weight at places where the metal serves no purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structural member which can be formed by suitable dies, said member comprising a pair of spaced plates having relatively simple means for interlocking the plates to each other.

A further object is the provision of a metal beam for building construction which can be advantageously substituted for the usual wooden beams and rafters at present employed. The beams herein disclosed are adapted for flooring, ceilings and roofs, and are capable of receiving nails, screws and the like, so that they may be used for all purposes where wooden beams have heretofore been used.

These and other advantageous objects, which will laterappear are accomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and exhibited in the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. l is a sectional View of a metal beam embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is an elevational View `of a portion of a beam constructed preferably in accordance with the form shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modied form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, in Fig. 1 a building stud or rafter is shown to comprise a pair of parallel metal plates I and 2, each of said plates being provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 3 along the longitudinal center line thereof. Surrounding the apertures on the plate I are inwardly directed flanges 4; and surrounding the apertures on the plate 2 are inwardly directed flanges 5,

which telescope with the inwardly directed flanges 4, and after passing within the flanges 4 are bent over the plate I to provide a flange 25 parallel with the plate I, and thus interlocking the two plates together.

It will be seen that the above structure provides a simple expedient which prevents separation of the plates and which can be formed from sheet metal by means of suitable dies.

The plates I and 2 are bent outwardly at right angles as shown at 6, and then upwardly as shown at 1, and then outwardly at 8, and then upwardly providing a wall S which has an inwardly directed ange Iii provided with a downturned angularly directed portion I I. In the chamber-like section formed by the sections 8, 9 and I0 can be inserted a strip of wood I2 or other nailk receiving material, the downturned portion I I of the flanges I0 being forced into the wood strip I 2 thereby firmly holdingit in place.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided a simple and effective stud and rafter of considerable strength to be used in building construction. The metal stud and rafter herein described is designed and adapted to be used in places where wooden studs and rafters have been heretofore used, such as in the building of homes and other dwellings. The stud and rafter is of light weight and is adapted to receive nails and screws in much the same manner as wooden studs and rafters.

By means of the manner in which the flanges 4 vand 5 are arranged, a simple interlocking means is provided which greatly facilitates the manufacture of the studs and rafters and materially decreases the cost thereof.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modified form of the invention in which the walls 9 are provided with outwardly directed flanges I4, and over'these flanges are bent the edges I5 of a cover plate I6, which is permanently secured to the flanges I4 by spotwelding or similar means.

The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive and illustrative only, and not as restrictive or limitative of the invention of which obviously embodiments may be constructed, including many modifications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I` claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patl spaced apertures, inwardly directed anges surrounding said apertures and integral with said plates, the flanges on the first plate being positioned within the flanges on the second plate and having a portion bent over said second plate to provide means for interlocking the plates together, the bent over portion abutting longitudinally extending shoulders on the second plate.

2. In a structural member for building construction, a rst plate and a second plate spaced from each other and provided with a plurality of spaced apertures, inwardly directed anges surrounding said apertures and integral with said plates, the flanges on the first plate being positioned within the flanges on the second plate and having a portion bent over said second plate to provide means for interlocking the plates together, the bent over portion abutting longitudinally extending shoulders on the second plate, said plates being bent outwardly and then upwardly to provide walls parallel to the plates, said walls being bent inwardly, and a strip of nail receiving material positioned in the space between said outwardly bent portions and said walls and said inwardly bent portions.

3. In a structural member for building construction, a irst plate and a second plate spaced from each other and provided with a plurality of spaced apertures, inwardly directed anges surrounding said apertures and integral with said plates, the flanges on the rst plate being positioned within the flanges on the second plate and having a portion bent over said second plate to provide means for interlocking the plates together, the bent over portion abutting longitudinally extending shoulders on the second plate, said plates being bent outwardly and then upwardly to provide walls parallel to the plates, said walls being bent inwardly, a strip of nail receiving material positioned in the space between said outwardly bent portions and said walls and said inwardly bent portions, and means on said inwardly bent portions for holding said strip of nail receiving material in position.

ALBERT RAFTER. 

